Come join the Monthly EoC North America Webinar Wed, Oct. 7, 10am, EST CLICK HERE TO RSVP
This time of ongoing pandemic uncertainty is the best time to return to the foundational principles and practices on “How to Be an EoC Business.”
Economy of Communion firms are committed to living by seven principles known by colors. This vision is articulated by Focolare/EoC founder Chiara Lubich:
Love is light, it is like a ray of light that passes through a drop of water and opens out to display a rainbow, whose seven colors we admire…. And just as the rainbow is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, love, the life of Jesus in us, is manifested in different colors; it is expressed in various ways, each one different from the others.
Living with this pandemic has shown us that “Formation, Instruction and Wisdom” are not just “nice to haves” but essential to cultivate our businesses to help our people to counteract the anxiety, loneliness, and stresses of the pandemic, whether we are at working and schooling at home, working in the office, juggling jobs or unemployed.
Our session will allow you to explore some of the following questions for your own work situation:
What impact does “communion” have on a company’s people-development?
How might our colleagues share their talents, ideas and competencies to enable my professional and personal flourishing?
What might I offer to enhance the the professional growth and flourishing of my colleagues ?
What fresh “case study” from our company might most benefit academic research, teaching, and post-secondary learning?
Let’s collaborate! Join the Monthly EoC North America Webinar Wed, July 1, 10am, EST CLICK HERE TO RSVP
This time of ongoing pandemic uncertainty is the best time to return to the foundational principles and practices on “How to Be an EoC Business.”
Economy of Communion firms are committed to living by seven principles known by colors. This vision is articulated by Focolare/EoC founder Chiara Lubich:
Love is light, it is like a ray of light that passes through a drop of water and opens out to display a rainbow, whose seven colors we admire…. And just as the rainbow is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, love, the life of Jesus in us, is manifested in different colors; it is expressed in various ways, each one different from the others.
A New Way, p, 76
This year the EoC is revisiting and reflecting on these seven principles. Together they give EoC firms strength of life conviction to act in a way that builds unity among disparate people—a way of both living life and doing business that provides the company firm flexibility for these uncertain times.
In examining the color “yellow”, spirituality and ethics, we will
begin by taking 15 minutes to share stories that illustrate what the EoC means by cultivating “Spirituality and Ethics”
spend time hearing your stories and your questions about how to clarify and ground your spirituality and ethical foundations.
Our questions and stories will inspire us to not only survive but to thrive. We can then share our collective best practices to help other businesses thrive with us.
The work of the EoC is seen as an opportunity for growth, not only professional, but also spiritual and ethical. The business commits itself to concretely respect laws and works for the change and the betterment of such laws. It behaves correctly towards fiscal authorities, control bodies, unions and institutional authorities. It knows that the quality of working life is a dimension essential for a person’s realization, and for the development of his/her vocation as a worker and as a human being. Those who work in EoC businesses learn to give value also to difficulties and hardships in the workplace, making them precious occasions for growth and maturity. In defining the nature and quality of its products, the business is committed to not only respecting contract obligations, but also to evaluate the effects of its products on the wellbeing of the people and the environment to which they are destined.
Our spirituality and ethics is often reflected in our company Vision, Values, and Mission. Let us use this opportunity to reexamine our own company to answer this question:
Do our Vision, Values, and Mission reflect the right spiritual and ethical foundation to enable us to withstanding the cross-currents of these unprecedented times?
CLICK HERE TO RSVP to learn and contribute to deepening “Spirituality and Ethics” on Wed. July 1, 10am EST.
FUTURE DATES: Here are dates and times for upcoming EoC webinars on “Being an EoC Business”:
Let’s collaborate! Join the Monthly EoC North America Webinar Wed, June 3, 10am, EST CLICK HERE TO RSVP
This time of ongoing pandemic uncertainty is the best time to return to the foundational principles and practices on “How to be an EoC Business.”
We’re bringing you a fresh format for our monthly webinar. In June we will
begin by taking 15 minutes to explain what the EoC means by cultivating “External Stakeholder Relationships”
spend time discussing your questions about how to build these relationships and hearing your best practices in building external relationships
Your questions and stories will help our current EoC businesses not only survive but thrive. Our collective best practices will then be shared to help new businesses join in with us.
We will be going over the following “External Stakeholder Relationships” text. This is taken from the International EoC draft on “General Guidelines for Operating an Economy of Communion Business”:
EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS
Economy of Communion (EoC) people value and nurture their relationships with each other and with their customers, suppliers, partners, and all with whom they work. They find ways to enjoy working together, to celebrate one another’s successes and to support each other in times of difficulty. Lending special attention to the explicit and implicit needs of their customers, EoC businesses commit to offer high quality products and services at equitable prices. All those who work in the business strive to build and reinforce honest and open relationships with customers, suppliers and the community in which they operate. EoC companies hold to the following principles to maintain excellent external relationships:
We are passionate about exceeding our clients’ expectations by using, whenever feasible, state-of-the-art technologies to deliver products and services of high quality in a timely and responsive manner.
We act as a positive and unifying force for local community development by building strong relationships with those near our places of work.
We believe that all relationships, regardless of whether they directly impact the bottom line of the company, are worthy of our time and attention because each person and each relationship with each person have inherent human value.
We are aware of the larger world beyond our local community, and look for ways to positively contribute to its development and sustainability.
We view our competitors as equals and necessary for the growth and improvement of the market, of society, and of ourselves, and appreciate their contribution to improving our quality of products and services. As such, we refrain from speaking negatively about their products or services.
We enjoy close relationships with other EoC businesses, sharing ideas and opportunities that help us live out the EoC values and lifestyle in a more complete way. However, we are aware that with these close, warm relationships, comes a certain degree of vulnerability in which we can hurt one another. Our 20 years of EoC experiences, and those of many others, tell us that the happiness and fulfillment of communion always overcomes, at least in the long-run, the short-term wounds coming from these close family-like relationships.
We share our experiences of successes and failures with others, thereby contributing to the authentic ongoing development of relationships among businesses and with the world community.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP to learn and contribute to deepening “External Stakeholder Relationships” on Wed. June 3, 10am EST.
FUTURE DATES: Here are dates and times for upcoming EoC webinars on “Being an EoC Business”:
Note: This article was taken from part of the presentation during the Dare to Care Webinar held on April 28, 2020, entitled “Small Business and the Pandemic.” This event was sponsored by New City Press, Living City Magazine, and EoC North American Association. The full hour of the event can be viewed on YouTube here.
Many of us think of our jobs as more than just a way of earning a living. We seek meaning in what we do, and most of us really want to do a good job. We value things like our relationships with co-workers, and in some roles we have strong relationships with customers, suppliers, partners, and (usually) our boss. But much has changed in the last few months during the current COVID-19 pandemic. For many employees, jobs and income are not as secure as they once were, and there is uncertainty about the future.
Will my company bounce back? Will my job change? Will I have job security again?
There is a lot of fear in both the known, and the unknown. Employees are missing a lot of the things that are meaningful to them, and they have different needs during this time.
I recently interviewed a young couple, Grant and Kathleen, to hear from them firsthand what they are experiencing and what they need during this time. Grant is an essential worker, and he’s at his office five days a week because some of the staff needs to be on site. Kathleen is a teacher working from home using online learning systems.
Although we find ourselves in a variety of new working arrangements during the pandemic, we all need many of the same fundamental things. As leaders, it’s helpful to keep this in mind as we help our team members navigate this difficult time.
Here are the top things Grant said he needs from his employer, and how they are meeting his needs:
1) To know that his employer has a plan for this kind of situation, what the protocols are, what he can expect, and what is expected of him. With good foresight, this company did in fact have a strong plan for sustainability and work continuity in a crisis such as this.
2) To know that his employer cares about his well-being and is providing him with protective measures. They moved the employees’ work spaces to create social distance. If someone reported feeling ill at all, they sent everyone home, closed the office for two days, and had a contractor come in and do deep cleaning. They also added ways to go through office doors and open bathroom doors without touching them.
3) To stay informed about the state of the company through the pandemic and how the business is doing, to have some sense of ongoing job security. This company provided regular information on their status, what was happening in their market, and encouraging words from their CEO daily.
4) To allow flexibility for personal responsibilities. Employees need to be able to take care of sick relatives, help kids with schoolwork, and take care of household responsibilities. Again this employer has been very flexible with employees, whether working from home or at the office, and set clear guidelines for them.
5) To know he is appreciated, especially during this time, for being adaptable and as available as possible to work under these new conditions. Grant’s company already has a good recognition program, but they have added some fun games such as “show and tell” where you are, and “karaoke sing along” videos just to lighten the work day a little.
Here are the top things Kathleen said she needs from her employer, and how they are meeting her needs:
1) To have good instruction and clarity on what was expected in working from home. The principal provided all the teachers with guidelines and protocols for on-line learning and schedules.
2) To have the equipment and software needed to do her job. When her laptop gave out, for example, the school provided her with another one immediately.
3) To maintain a sense of community and connection from afar. Kathleen has regular teacher zoom sessions, as well as google classroom sessions with the students so they can all stay connected to each other.
4) To reduce anxiety by proactively incorporating fun and humor into the daily routine. They had a “crazy hair day” where staff members and students were able to add some laughter to their regular video chats.
These lists are a great starting point for leaders to assess how well they are serving their teams. But it doesn’t stop here. Leaders should regularly ask employees what they need, whether they are working from home or on site. And all of the best practices for managing team members are even more important now, such as frequent and transparent communication, and having empathy.
This kind of holistic, person-centered and inspired leadership builds company unity, employee loyalty, and takes care of what we value most: our people.
Jim Funk is a consultant who helps leaders, teams and organizations discover and develop their full potential. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Consulus Global Network, an international consultancy, and President of his consulting firm J L Funk & Associates. Jim is passionate in believing that strong leadership competence combined with the leader’s personal characteristics, values and virtues are key to achieving goals and driving business results. Jim has served on various boards and commissions, and is currently a member of the Economy of Communion in North America Commission.
Need Communion? Join the Monthly EoC North America Hearth Wed, May 6, 10am, EST CLICK HERE TO RSVP
This month’s webinar will focus on “Applying Chiara’s Colors: RED for Your Business in COVID-19 Times.”
Together we will share our best practices –and our questions– on how to live out communion within our businesses during our current phase of COVID-19 constraints. Does our business mission incorporate communion? How do we build communion among dispersed workers? How do we address the pressures of tighter cash flow? None of us feels like we have many answers. But all of us together can discover what God is teaching us through these days of challenge and how we might encourage one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Whatever stakeholder you are in the small business ecosystem, you probably feel like you’re on a plane that’s in a COVID-19 induced high-altitude tailspin. Whatever your role, you’re wondering what YOU can do to get the plane back to cruising altitude.
Jon Hokama, Economy of Communion North America Coordinator, will facilitate a team of seasoned business executive panelists to help you get on your O2 “mask” and inspire you to consider your part in meeting the needs of ALL small business stakeholders to get you back to cruising altitude:
Callibrating Current Business Conditions: Jon Hokama
The Needs of Owners/CEOs: Nick Sanna
The Needs of Employees: Jim Funk
The Needs of Customers and Competitors: John Mundell
The Needs of Your Community: Dr. John Gallagher
During the second half of our time together, we will be answering your questions about how you can serve your business stakeholders through this season of high turbulence.
Jon Hokama, Economy of Communion, North America Coordinator, is President of Jon Hokama and Associates, LLC , a business consulting firm specializing in Enneagram-based executive coaching and strategic planning for business owners and their firms.
Nicola (Nick) Sanna, is EoC Commissioner and CEO of RiskLens . He is responsible for the overall leadership and the definition and the execution of the company strategic positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies.
Jim Funk is an EoC Commissioner and Chairman of Consulus Global Network, Global Head of Leadership Transformation for Consulus and President of J L Funk & Associates, an Economy of Communion business formed in 2010.
John Mundell is EoC Commissioner and President and CEO of Mundell and Associates, Inc., an earth science, environmental and water resources consulting firm founded in 1995 as an Economy of Communion business based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. John Gallagher is Professor of Management at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee and author of Structures of Grace: Business Practices of the Economy of Communion (New City Press, 2014).
Need Communion? Join the Monthly EoC North America Hearth Wed, May 6, 10am, EST CLICK HERE TO RSVP
This month’s webinar will focus on “Applying Chiara’s Colors: RED for Your Business in COVID-19 Times.”
Together we will share our best practices –and our questions– on how to live out communion within our businesses during our current phase of COVID-19 constraints. Does our business mission incorporate communion? How do we build communion among dispersed workers? How do we address the pressures of tighter cash flow? None of us feels like we have many answers. But all of us together can discover what God is teaching us through these days of challenge and how we might encourage one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Join the Monthly EoC North America Hearth Wed, April 1, 10am, EST. CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Continuing in the spirit of the Focolare/Economy of Communion gathering in San Antonio, Texas, we will keep holding monthly “Hearth” Webinars.
This month’s webinar will focus on “Chiara’s Charism: Antidote for COVID-19 Distress.”
Together we will share our best practices –and our questions– on how to practice self-care and to love and support co-workers, clients and neighbors in the current environment. None of us feels like we have many answers. But all of us together can discover what God is teaching us through these days of challenge and how we might encourage and support one another to love and to do good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).
FUTURE DATES: Be sure to add the following dates to your calendar:
Come Join the 2nd EoC North America Hearth Wed, Mar 4, 10am, EST. CLICK HERE TO RSVP
We are delighted that a number of you were a part of the Focolare/Economy of Communion gathering Jan. 17-18, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. It was great to have so many also join us for our first “Hearth” Webinar on Feb. 5.
This coming month’s webinar will address the question of how EoC businesses might best receive the “gift of need.” Business professor Dr. Andy Gustafson, whose EoC business is employer of former homeless folks, will be joining us.
Together we will explore best practices to love and support employees and clients coming out of incarceration, homelessness, addiction and poverty.
In addition, we will have time for each of us to share and experience the unity we have in Christ, to reflect on our vocational experiences since the conference and discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance for our work going forward.
We’ll also have an extended time to share questions about your current work or business.
FUTURE DATES: The following dates and times are set tentatively:
We are delighted that a number of you were a part of the Economy of Communion gathering Jan. 17-18, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas.
This year we’ll be encouraging you to take concrete steps in communion to live out Chiara Lubich’s charism.
We will be hosting monthly calls to give you a chance to experience the unity we have in Christ, to reflect on your vocational experience since the conference, and discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance for your work going forward.
We will begin with an overview of the last session of the San Antonio EoC conference, “Supporting an Economy of Communion: Steps toward an Economy that Works for All,” which was facilitated by Catholic University of America Dean Andrew Abela.
In our webinar, we’ll focus on questions such as:
How do EOC members and businesses function differently from other employees or businesses in some business domains like Marketing, Leading and Selling?
What do EoC businesses or practitioners do to transform the gravitational center of their companies from bottom-line/profit to relationship/unity?
How can we help you create a community of EOC workers and business owners in your city?
In addition, we will confirm future webinar topics that will be of greatest interest to EoC members.
FUTURE DATES: The following dates and times are set tentatively:
Economy of Communion 